Does my cat know I’m pregnant?

For months now, Jesabel, my little calico, sits on my belly like a mama hen warming her eggs before they hatch. She did the same thing with my first pregnancy. In fact, her tummy-snuggling was one of my first inklings that I was preggo. (That, along with the so-so-tired, falling-asleep-at-5:30 p.m.-feeling).

Now, any time I sit or lay down, there is Jesabel, righteously declaring her spot on my belly like a queen to her throne. (That is, if my 3-year-old doesn’t nudge away “meow meow” and claim my lap as her big, comfy chair).

When I casually told some other moms about my cat’s intuition, the conversation plunged into obvious discomfort.

I had become the crazy cat lady.

Wondering if I was a bit kooky, I went home, started sleuthing on the Internet and found several articles about pets sensing pregnancies in women, including one here at BabyCenter.

Of course, now that I’ve read about it, an animal sixth sense makes, well, sense. Years back, when my mom was going through chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer, her cat slept with her all of the time; the cat had never done that before. Once my mom was better, the cat returned to ignoring her.

After I gave birth to my daughter, my cat–who has always acted more like an affectionate dog than an independent feline–sometimes snuggled next to me, but not in the same self-important, belly-warming way.

Please let me know: Am I just a crazy cat lady (you won’t hurt my feelings if you say yes)…or do you think pets can sense things? Have you had a similar experience with your cat, dog or other pet?

(P.S. The cat in the photo is not mine but rather a random one downloaded off the Internet. Poor Jesabel isn’t photographed that much since my daughter came along, and I just couldn’t find a picture without a time-consuming plunge through my photo files).

Recent posts

I don’t think you’re crazy at all. We have two dogs – the younger one loves everyone, all the time, and an older one who strongly prefers my husband over anyone else. When I was first pregnant with our daughter, even though the home pregnancy tests (falsly) said I was not pregnant, I very suddenly had two shadows. Both dogs followed my every move, sleeping next to me in bed, sitting next to (or on) me on the couch, even following me into the bathroom. This lasted for the next eight months. As soon as our daughter was born, though, things went immediately back to normal and I was once again persona non grata with the older dog!

Jenee

I tend to think the same thing about my animals. I have 2 dogs and 3 cats (yes, I know I am insane) that followed me EVERYWHERE when I was pregnant. My cats were CONSTANTLY on my lap, in my face and under my feet when I was pregnant. They would not leave me alone. It was like I was a cat magnet or something (and I wasn’t stashing catnip in my pocket either). My dogs would come in the bathroom with me, follow me around the yard and always prefer me to my husband (which is really rare because they tended to like him more pre-pregnancy). I thought it was a bit odd that they liked me more all of a sudden, but I really didn’t put 2 and 2 together until I saw your post on here. Oh, and don’t feel like you’re crazy, there has to be a science behind it.

no, the crazy cat lady has to have a minimum of 10 cats or it doesn’t count. they must all be indoors, long haired, not fixed, or properly litterboxed trained, and eat fifteen times a day. that’s the definiton. it’s also helpful if you live out of town and up a hill to further perpetuate the crazy image. and no, you aren’t nuts. animals do know, they can sense and smell the hormone changes.

My dog was the one that was protective over me, but my cat was always bringing me creepy presents. Two snakes (still alive, into my living room, mind you), a mouse, a mole, a squirrel, and lots of other things. As a matter of fact, I blogged about it.

I’m really worried about my cat… I have had her since she was a kitten, and since I’ve been pregnant, she randomly attacks me. And I don’t mean the playful kind, I’m talking full fledged teeth sinking and nail digging. She does it about 1-2 times a month, and she only attacks me. She doesn’t attack my boyfriend. I chase her down and disipline her everytime, and she knows what she’s doing is wrong. I’m worried she will go after the baby after he’s born… Does anyone know of any other cases similar to this? Usually she’s really sweet and cuddly and once or twice a month she becomes possessed!

Grace

In my experience, a cat does that when they feel neglected or ignored. It is their way of getting your attention because something is wrong. My cat swipes at my feet and meows loudly when her food bowl is empty it her water is low. Also, sometimes when we haven’t played in a while.

Karen S Weis

Use a spray bottle with cold water. Spray at them If bad. Its fearing you will love them less n kid more. Warning later on any spray bottle might scare them If used. I mist air to warm n wet if they keep it up. Like kid mine run if I go for a spray bottle even if there good petkid.

Melissa

My cat liked me my entire pregnancy, I found out I was pregnant when she was about 6 weeks old, so I don’t think she could tell. But after we brought the baby home she went totally crazy. She attacked everyone and hissed all the time but she kept a good distance from the baby. Before we had the baby she was like our baby so I think she was jealous and scared we would leave her again for 4 days while in the hospital. After maybe 2 weeks she calmed down and now my son is 6 months and she has been totally back to normal.

Kate MacLuskie

You could try Feliway spray or diffusers. They mimic the scenting cats make when they rub their faces on things you make themselves comfortable. Also I have a multi cat household and they all kept their distance from my daughter. Although every cat is different. They say to bring home something of your baby’s from the hospital before you bring them home. It’s to introduce them to your child’s scent.

Krista

My girl cat has been going crazy sometimes and then want to lay on my belly but I took a test and still said negative still having symptoms gonna wait to take another and my boy cat will lay with me sometimes or they not stay in my room on the floor at the end of my bed

when i first became pregnant my two cats, my calico named tye dye and my mix named rosco became extremely clingy. tye is my sisters cat but now she sleeps in my room every night and shes NEVER done that before. and Rosco climbs on my belly when im in the living room and sleeps there. he also follows me everywhere, he even tries to follow me into the bathroom. my first thought of pregnancy was when tye started to be clingy, she was always like a mother to me. shed lay on me and meow when i was crying and shed walk me to school. now shes here for my pregnancy and it makes me fee safe : )

savanna

i’m 16 weeks pregnant (at least i think i’m still pregnant….i don’t feel anything going on in there…) and my cat’s behavior hasn’t changed at all. he still attacks me all the time, the only difference is when he does decide to be nice and give me kisses, he puts his paw on my face. he’s only 6 months old, so maybe he just doesn’t understand or something… he still wants to be the baby. in fact, he lets me hold him like one lol! but i definitely haven’t noticed either a positive or negative change in him, he’s mostly the same.

Leena

Kriston- It’s been almost a year, but I’m writing in hopes others will read this, too. Please get 411 on aggression and transitioning your cat for the baby on TheCatSite.com.

You should *NEVER* chase your cat. Cats do NOT respond to discipline like dogs do. Hitting her, yelling at her (I don’t know if you are doing either, but am not sure what “discipline” meant) and/or chasing her will increase her aggression and fear of you.

It’s possible she’s come after you bc she is frightened by sudden changes in the house and possibly associates the change in your scent (via hormones) and possibly demeanor (mood swings from hormones) with it.

Cats can be very sensitive when schedules and furniture are moved around, and can be sensitive in changes in their owners. That’s why when you get pregnant, it’s important to start changes gradually and early.

I have a kitten,about 6 months old named zabrah. She has always been close to me, but lately she follows me everywhere. If im sitting or laying down somewhere, she of course jumps up by me, if i put her down, she just jumps right back up, until i let her lay down by me. and of course she has to be laying right by my belly, I took two test and of course they came back neg. I had laporoscapy surgery in jan. i had my cycle after that IN jan. and missed feb. I have been real nausiated and throwing up. Could my kitten know something i dont know????????

Helen

I’m not sure to what extent my very devoted female cat “knows” I’m pregnant, but she’s certainly loved the fact that her usually very active owner has been sitting down more often! Any excuse for a cuddle has always been seized on and she’s in seventh heaven now I’m curled up on the sofa by 6pm.

Until I met my partner I allowed her to sleep on the bed with me but he’s banned her for the last 5 years and she was fine with that until recently. Now, out of the blue she’s begun crying outside our door in the night. I joke that she’s just trying to prepare us for the baby crying routine in nights to come (although I’m only 22 weeks so there’s a way to go yet) but my chap is less charmed by her antics. Probably because he works for a vet and has enough of catterwauling in his working day!! I hope it settles down!

Meantime my more independent male cat hasnt taken a blind bit of notice re the pregnancy and struts about regardless.

Charlotte

I’m convinced they do and I’m sure they can smell the hormones.

When I was first pregnant, one of the many weird side effects was a lot of oily discharge from my ears. My cat, Deborah went crackers for it. I couldn’t sleep in the first trimester as she would constantly have her nose stuck down my ear hole.

Second and third trimester saw her (thankfully) gravitate towards my belly. She has never usually slept under the covers but started getting in in the middle of the night and climbing onto my stomach to ‘guard’ my uterus – very uncomfortable.

I just found this article because I am pregnant again (about 9 weeks) and whilst I have no runny ears this time (thank God) my cat has been firmly clamped to my womb for 2 days now.

I have a theory – they can smell the hormones and they get additional heat from your bump. I think (this might sound a little gross) they also may like being down there because they pick up on the scent from – erm, in your knickers. Most women get an increase in discharge and whilst we can’t smell it, I think the cats might be able to. I think rather than being protective over a baby (my cat HATES my four year old and always will – never forgave me for having her!) I think you smell like mummy to them. They seem to revert to kitten hood.

can anybody tell me why my cat is avoiding me while pregnant,i didnt know untill a few weeks ago myself that i was about 3 months pregnant,and relised my cat since feb in which is the time i conceived,wont even come into my bedroom,wont sit or lie next to me in which upsets me,but will now go to my mam for love and affection and never has done this before

arlene

My dog does the same thing. She’s always been very playful and would gets excited at the sound of my voice.I’m 5 weeks pregnant and before I even found out she started acting weird. Not listening to me, avoiding me and totally apathetic towards my presence.
Your cat might be confused about the unusual smell of hormones released from the pregnancy.

amber

Oh cats have to know..I have a cat that has reverted to a kitten since I became pregnant! Before I even realized it he had started sitting next to the bed in the middle of the night and meowing. Only when I woke up and called him up on the bed would he jump up and then proceed to aggressively cuddle me. Now by aggressive I mean he does what kittens do to their moms belly. He climbs on my chest, nuzzles his face in my hair and kneads his paws like crazy. This only started right before I found out I was pregnant. I’m now 29 weeks pregnant and he still does it. Every night, at around 3-4am he does the same routine. I literally have to drag him out of my hair. This morning he was kind enough to wake me at 5am, I thought so he could go outside, but no, it was to play, and if I tried going back to bed, he would come sit next to me and cry constantly…He’s trying to get me prepared now haha.

Katie

Funny, I found this. I was trying to see if it’s possible that my dog is avoiding me b/c I’m pregnant. Before I knew I was pregnant, she was avoiding me. Today I tried to cuddle her on the couch, and she actually jumped over the back of it to ge get away. Meanwhile, she is the nicest, sweetest dog. We joke she’s half-cat because she’s so demanding of snuggles. I’m sure she knows, I just don’t understand why she’d be afraid of me 🙁

heather

I was adopted by a cat a couple of years ago. She has many names but recently we call her “Meow-meow. She has become sort of my soul-mate of pets! (I know it sounds cheesy). Since I have become pregnant she has become incredibly clingy to me. She had always slept at the foot of our bed and brought us her “daily catch”, but now she follows me EVERYWHERE. Sleeps wherever I sleep, whenever I sleep. She is very social and knows everyone in the neighborhood and visits everyone but when she she’s my car coming down the street she hightails it home at light speed to greet me as I get out of the car. She even waits patiently for me to get out of the shower! I could swear she knows I’m pregnant. She has had kittens herself! She was actually pregnant when she adopted us. I’m glad to see that other people have similar pet experiences!

Sara

I came across this site and I just had to comment. My cat just recently latched on to my partner. She’s a dog person and usually has her puggle in her lap, so the cat usually ignores her, but he’s been constantly butting the dog out of the way to crawl on her… kneading her, head-butting her, curling up on her lap. We just started trying to get pregnant, and her period’s 9 days late (and she’s never late), but all tests are still negative. We’re hoping the cat’s got the lowdown that we don’t yet, but we still need to wait a few days before anyone would likely do a blood test for us. I’ll update once we know for sure.

Kim

I recently had a miscarriage, and while I was pregnant, my cat shunned my lap and wouldn’t even be in the same room with me a lot of the time. Shortly after the miscarriage, she is now in my lap even more than usual, pretty much any time I sit down. I thought maybe it was because the weather was getting cooler, but I have wondered if she sensed that I was pregnant or even sensed that something was wrong. Hopefully the next pregnancy will be a healthy one and maybe she won’t avoid me next time.

Haleana

I have a snow leopard bengal female and pre-pregnancy she was an extremely aloof and independent cat who was not a massive fan of cuddles and certainly did not sleep in bed with us. I am now almost seven months pregnant and since the early days, she has been my little angel. She began by laying on my belly in bed and constantly following me around. Now that I’m bigger, she lays next to my head in bed or by my feet, she jumps on my lap as soon as I’m home from work, she is very vocal and tends to get a bit moody if she doesn’t get her home-time cuddle or her evening bedtime cuddle. She’s still the same aloof and independent cat with my husband though! Just entirely different with me. I hope she stays like this after the birth… she’s lovely!

Jennifer

I have a male manecoon cat who has never been snuggly with anyone. Once I became preg. He immediatly became very nurturing toward me. He would lay on my belly and follow me around everywhere. I am a little over 7 months right now and he has completely stopped. He avoids me and will only let me pet him. I went into pre labor and am now home and he is still acting the same, He wont come near me but follows my mother around. They stopped the labor but Im worried he can still sense something….Is this normal? Anyone else have these problems?

Jennifer

My cat Sierra was my mom’s sidekick and never paid my any mind (unless she wanted a treat.) Since my pregnancy, she now sleeps in my bed, headbutts me with love, she even gets jealous when I feed my fish! She is my sidekick now! She wants my love and affection instead of being up my moms behind.Now my moms feelings are hurt but I have a feeling once the baby comes Sierra will leave us to our own devices and go back to being my moms bestee!

@kristen: is your cat used to being pampered? my sister has a chiuaua and she thinks her as “mom” and when anyone (animal or human) is getting more attenion from her the dog will become VERY upset (will normaly wine/growl) or try to make my sister jellous. XD so ur cat might be the same way and thinks the new baby is gonna take u from her

daniela

i think your not crazy. but i am 4 1/2 months now and my female cats always loved and played with me and now they avoid me. Some times “rarly” the females will come over and get up on my belly and paw at it almost like a massage… and then they leave. but my one male cat gives me so much attention its hard to sleep some times he always wants to play. but before i was pregnant he didnt even like to play i dont know what the deal is… but i love my cats

Tiffany

I actually googled “does my cat know I’m pregnant” because both of my cats are loving on me a lot more than usual. One of my kitties I have had for 10 years, and we have been through everything together. She will not stay away from me! Normally she’s sweet, but in no way is she cuddly. Now she wants to sit by me wherever I am. I noticed this before I knew I was pregnant.

Ashley

I too googled “does my cat know I’m pregnant” because my cat has also been more affectionate. He is around me constantly.
It is weird though, because my past two (failed) pregnancies he wouldn’t have much to do with me.
Maybe it’s a good sign.

Heather

I have an issue since I found out I was pregnant in July 23 wks now, little kittens keep running into my apartment. I asked the other tenants if they were having the same problem and they all said no! Why are these cats coming into my place? We kept the first one because we just had to get rid of our dog because she was biting at the kids in the apartment complex, So my 2 yr old was very said and this little kitten just showed up on my door step and walked in. Then the other night when the pizza guy brought the pizza another kitten just bolted into my apartment, I didn’t think we were ever going to catch him but we did. Are animals clinging to anyone else while they are pregnant or are the kittens trying to turn me into a cat lady?

Jessica

Definitely not crazy!!! I am going through the same thing. I have two cats. The girl is lovable but very independent and the boy is big and fat and just likes to find somewhere to sleep without my three year old harassing him. But since I became pregnant both of them come up in my bed and lay next to or on me. They have to be touching me at all times however the girl is always on my belly when she can be. I will wake up in the middle of the night and find her on my belly. My husband can’t believe what is happening. These cats are all over me (which I don’t mind, I just find it amazing that they could know)

I’m hoping I’m pregnant (too early to tell right now), but I think one of my dogs is being really weird. He has never been cuddly or clingy and he seems to want as much contact with me as possible lately. He’s been following me around and even sleeping in the bedroom (we have a dog bed in the walk-in closet) when he normally prefers the space in the living room. He’s also been finding a way to squeeze his 80 lbs up onto the couch to sit with me… I hope this is a sign! 🙂

Lauren

My cat being super affectionate was the first early pregnancy sign I got! He went from independent ant-cuddler to affectionate, cuddly lover literally over night. One morning (day 11 of my cycle), I came out to the living room, sat down, and he was right on me begging for attention. It hasn’t stopped since then (even through the negative pregnancy tests that were wrong)!
I think what it boils down to is that your animals have instincts and so do you. Pay attention to them!

Danielle Berry

Oh how nice to read all these stories! lol. Well recently we just adopted another cat into our cat family, and although she has been loving, it is nothing compared to how she is recently!

I had questioned my possibility to be pregnant mainly because my boobs now hurt (the last time they were this sore, I was pregnant!)And after reading this, I better go get a test. Our new cat kiki has none stop been kneeding my belly! Day/night this just started like a day before my boobs were sore too. Not to mention I keep looking up baby stuff online.
Maybe my subconscious and kiki are trying to tell me something?
or where all just crazy! Either way I will be happy because at least ill know im not alone! lol

nomes

my two cats brother and sister the male has always sat on my lap and now his siter has started to she followers me into the bathroom the sormorring and had to be up on my chest then procceded to paw at my belly this is the frist time she has done this. the other day she sniffed at my belly when i was getting dressed the dog has been doing this for a few weeks now and tries licking and smelling my belly everytime i stand up
it is werid and i don’t know what to make of it as all test say that i am not pregant even though i have all these signs if it is a phantom pregany would the pets do the same thing?

Kayla

My kitten has been sitting on my belly all of the time lately, and rubbing her head against my belly, and after checking the calendar the other day I realized that I am 2 weeks late for my menstrual cycle, and am about to go to the doctors to find out if I am or not. But I guess if I am, what you are saying makes plenty of sense.

tanya

My female torty cat that i’ve had for 6+ years all of a sudden one day sleeping on my stomache…i was like wtf goooo away im sleeping…she normally lays to my left side but she had decided that my tummy was a better place….i soon discovered i was pregnant like 5 weeks after ( and her sleeping on my tummy ) after i found out i was, she quit sleeping on my tummy. still sleeps to my side, still ignors me until 10pm at night and makes me go to bed. its cute I Love her.

Rhea

Wow it’s comforting to know I’m not the only one who googled this. Lol. My cat has actually been avoiding my belly area as if she’s afraid of hurting me. Before the pregnancy, she would always climb onto my chest and cuddle with me when I was lying down. Now she is extremely careful and makes sure she does not step on my belly. It’s as if she knows there’s a precious little baby inside! Amazing!

lynn

I came across this website because I am not sure if I am pregnant or not, but I am a week late as of yesterday, and my cat who is two has started spraying but only my stuff. My juicy purse, my bra I left downstairs because it was driving me nuts, and even my mail I left on the dining room table. I was wondering if he “knew” somehow. He also has been meowing at me a lot and headbutting and he laid down on me for a long time last night. He has always been the leave me alone type cat and once in a blue moon would want to be petted so I was just curious to see. So fingers crossed, maybe I am.

kourtney

my cat, Breezy, is a complete.. well you know- a bitch! she doesn’t like to be pet, she doesn’t cuddle, any of that unless i have food for her. she’s very aggresive and acts like a ‘know it all’ but recently she has been following me around. she’s constantly wanting to be pet, she’s either laying on my belly or right beside my head. my period is late & i have been throwing up. my bestfriend, who has recently had a son, thinks i’m pregnant. also, my other cat- Marlie, is also all over my stomache or pawing at my boobs. i don’t know what to think “/

kisha

Just found out I was pregnant 3 weeks ago and had no idea, apart from on of my cats acting more affectionate than usual.
I have 2 black cats called Shadow and Midnight; Midnight is kinda weird with me but still enjoys a snuggle where as Shadow is behaving like a cat in heat!!!
As I’m typing this comment she is curled up tightly against my belly purring and watching my every move.
Nice to see I’m not the only one who thought she was going kinda crazy with their pets. xxx

Marta

This is amazing the same exact thing happen to me with a cat I had thats how I.found out I was pregnant and I can not have any more children but for some odd reason the cat I have now and my dog will not leave my side at all !

Carrie hammers

I have taken 2 preg test and both have been negative !! I just got a cat about 3 weeks ago and she always played and bounced around everywhere , not much on cuddling and stuff !!. Now she follows me to the bathroom , bedroom , when I go outside to smoke she sits a the window and watches me , she also sleeps between my legs with her head on my tummy and her paws around the same area ?? Please comment back .. cause I have no idea what’s going on !!

Zoe

I have two cats who have undergone a strange role reversal ever since I got pregnant. Persimmon has always been a sweetheart , but never been very snugly with me. Now, she cannot get enough time nuzzled up on my body. And yes, she does love the low belly area. She also looks at me like I hang the moon. She even runs to great me when I get home.

Meanwhile, Mako, who is usually very clingy and affectionate with me, wants nothing to do with me. She cries at me, but then refuses to let me soothe her. She pouts, stars at her paws and refuses to purr for me. It’s breaking my heart! I suppose she feels that her position as my baby is threatened. I hope i can get back in her good graces eventually…maybe by the time my child is three 🙁

Mika

This is so crazy i got online saying the same thing that i’m a crazy ldy but my cat is doing the same exact thing i’m like his new lover.Went searching just as you did glad to hear i’m not alone i my crazy thinking. I’m the new catnip and only n my third month..My husband noticed yesterday the issue with the cat stopped him dead in his tracks he said “doest that cat not really care for you normally” I said yes ” he says wow there must be something really wrong with him’ lol

tanya marie

I honestly do not know for sure if I am in fact, pregnant. I have taken two tests that were both negative but as of a few weeks ago, my kitten has suddenly started coming around me more. She was very independent at first but now I cant even go to the bathroom without her underneath my feet and crying when she cant be at me. I actually thought she was maturing but she wont have anything to do with anyone but me. could she really know?

Daphne Hatton

Phoniex my CAT…. WOW he is something else once I found I was pregnant my cat was all over my belly lay on me every time I would set down. As soon as I go to bed he is right on top of my beely or the side of my belly. I wake up in the middle of the night he is still laying there. Before I became pregnant he would sleep down at our feet. Now he is all over my belly. I feel that he knows something is different not sure if he knows there is going to be a nother child he will have to hide from but he does know something is different.